US President Donald Trump has said his administration is taking a less aggressive approach towards Iran, suggesting that he may be backing away from fresh military action as efforts continue to end the conflict.
Trump made the remark on Sunday during a brief phone conversation with Axios, saying, “We are low-keying it.”
The comment came about a week after Trump threatened to launch further strikes against Iran, before appearing to pull back as Washington pushes for an agreement to end the war with Tehran.
According to Axios, Trump did not express frustration over Iran’s delay in reaching an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has demanded that the United States lift its blockade of Iranian ports and remove oil sanctions before it agrees to reopen the strategic waterway, in line with a memorandum of understanding reportedly signed by both countries in June.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained blocked by Iran since the conflict began, disrupting global energy supplies and pushing up fuel prices.
The situation has also added pressure on the Trump administration as the November midterm elections approach, with rising energy costs and the wider economic impact of the war becoming major concerns for Americans.
“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump said, according to Axios.
He also pointed to falling oil prices, saying American consumers were feeling less impact from the conflict.
Trump expressed confidence that the standoff with Tehran would eventually be resolved.
“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” he said.
The latest comments suggest Washington may be relying more on economic pressure and negotiations than immediate military action, even as the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved.
